Bail-anchor



titi

UNITED STATES PATENT FICE.

BENJAMIN WOLHAUPTER, OF NEW ROClEllELLE, NEW YORK.

RAKU-ANCHOR.

Application filed January 25, 1919.

'0 all wlw/m, 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN WoLHAUr- TER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Anchors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of rail anchors having a clamping engagement with the rail base and coperating with a tie or other fixed abutment to check creeping of the rail in a longitudinal direction.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a rail anchor of a very simple construction, and one which is also simple of application and removal, while at the same time possessing maximum efficiency in its intended purpose of securely engaging the rail and effectually checking or preventing creeping thereof. ln connection with these fundamental objects the invention also has in view a construction of rail anchor which is inherently very strong and is of such a simple construction that it may be readily and economically manufactured by rolling or other processes.

While meeting all of the requirements above indicated it is proposed, according to the present invention, to provide a rail anchor which may be clamped or locked upon the rail base with a powerful clamping pressure. In the attainment of that important object the invention provides la structure which is intended to be so correlated with the flanges of the rail base as to obtain a firm binding engagement therewith at a plurality of points, preferably in alternate relation, whereby a maximum clamping, binding, or locking effect' is obtained without danger of injuring or breaking either the rail flange or the anchor itself. At the same time a distinctive object in this connection is to provide substantial and reliable means whereby the anchor may be so applied to the rail base that it may become clamped or interlocked therewith through a powerful leverage action which exerts a strong upward flexing pressure on the edge of the rail flange.

With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the details of the invention are explained, the invention consists in the novel construction,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1920.

serial ivo. 273,120.

arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter pointed out, illustrated and claimed.

The essential and distinctive feature of the invention involved in the leverage action which exerts an upward flexing pressure on the edge of a rail flange is necessarily sus ceptible of embodiment in a large variety of modifications,but for the purposes of the present application a few examples are illustrated of the more practical and apparent wa 1s of carrying the invention into effect.

n the illustrations of the drawings Figure l is an elevation of a rail anchor constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in its initial position, preparatory to the application of the pressure means for rocking the anchor on its fulcrum located above the rail base.

Fig. 2 is a view of the construction shown in Fig. l after the pressure or tightening means have been adjusted to secure the de sired clamping effect.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of a portion of a rail, showing in end elevation the improved anchor in operative relation to the rail flange, which has been flexed upwardly and the rail supporting tie acting as the abutment, the deflection shown being greatly exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

Figs. land 5 are companion views of a modification of the invention showing the anchor before and after being tightened onto the rail base.

Fig. 6 is a View of a modification, showing by full and dotted lines the position of the anchor parts respectively before and after tightening.`

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are views of additional modifications also illustrating by full and dotted vlines the position 'of the anchorI parts before and after tightening.

Like references designatecorresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

All forms of the improved rail anchor have the same simple structural characteristie, namely that of a single piecev or bar of metal l formed at one end with a rail flange engaging jaw 2. The bodyfof the anchor designated by the numeral'l may simply consist as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, of a substantially straight bar extendedin a direction away from the jaw 2 into what may be termed a tail member 3 adapted. to lie below the rail flange'opposite the flange which is engaged by the jaw This aw 2 is formed by a looped or doubled part of the bar adapted to receive and eX- tend over one rail flange, and consists ot the upper and lower clamping jaw members 4 and 5 integrally connected at one end by the fold or bight 6, the said aw members having a spaced relation to provide an ample rail flange clearance space 7. The two members 4 and 5 of the engaging aw are spaced a sufficient distance apart to provide ample clearance for ythe flanges of various sized rails, andthe upper member 4 is also preferably of sutiicient length to provide a tulcrum point a considerable distance inside v,the side edge .of the rail flange, thereby adapting vthe anchor to rail bases of many vdifferent vwidths and of many different thicknesses of .rail llange, thus making the anchor practically susceptible of universal application Ato all standard sizes of rails. Furthermore, yby reason of the jaw formation described the aw of .the anchor can be easily and readily slipped over the ilange of the rail so las to bring the same into contact respectively with the upper side of the flange and the lower outer edge portion of the flange, Athereby permitting of the lleverage action which is contemplated by the present invention to provide for clamping Ythe anchor tightly upon the rail base.

Therefore, it will be observed that the rail flange engaging jaw 2 ol' the anchor includes, in addition to the structural features already referredt'o, a fulcrum bearing l8 at the inner lower corner of' the upper jaw member 4 which contacts with the top of the rail flange, and a pressure bearing face 9 formed at the upper side of the lower jaw member 5 for engagement with the lower outer edge portion of the rail flange en gaged by the jaw.

As above indicated, the tail or tail member ofthe anchor body is extended from the jaw 2 beneath the `[lange of the rail opposite the flange engaged by the jaw, and one of the distinctive and practical features of the present invention resides in associating with the said tail member 3 adjustable pressure means. These means are intended to exert pressure or force against the tail or bodyA of the anchor in a Vdirection causing the anchor to become a lever turning on the fulcrum S and exerting an upward pressure against the edge of the 'ail flange at the point 9. Various forms and kinds of pres sure or force applying means may obviously be utilized in carrying out this phase of the invention. For instance, in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a simple wedge 1() may be introduced between the underside of the rail base and the upper side ofthe tail member 3 ot the anchor, a groove orwedge seat 1l being convenijently provided at the upper side of the tail member for guiding and seating the wedges as desired. After placing the engaging `iaw of the anchor over one rail vflange with the tail member ol the anchor extending beneath the edge of the rail ilange, as shown in Fig. l ot the drawings, the simple act of driving home the pressure or torce applying wedge l() causes the anchor to rock on its tulerum S, thereby litting the pressure bearing i'ace l) ot the lower jaw 5 against the lower outer edge portion ol' the rail flange with the result ot exerting a powerful upward flexing pressure on the rail flange and producing such a relative distortion of the interengaging parts at this point as to bring the anchor into lirm clamping or lockingv engagement'. with the rail base. This desirable result may be fully appreciated from the illustration of Figs. 2 and 3 ot the drawings. ln the same connection it will be noted that the leverage action referred to is rendered very ell'eetive by reason ol the anchor, in elteet, having a binding engagement with the rail base at three points of contact, in alternating relation, namely at the points 9, S and l2, the latter point oi" contact (l2) being through the intermediary of the pressure or force applying wedge.

By way ot illustrating other i'orms ot pressure or torce applying' means applicable to the present type ot anchor there is shown in Figs. 4 and 5 ot the drawings almodiiication wherein the tail l ol the anchor is termed with an upstanding threaded termi nal i3 upon which is adjustably mounted a nut 'i4 whose flat top face l5 is adapted to have a bearing engagement with the under side of the flange opposite the flange engaged by the liaw. The turning-up ot this nut, under pressure.y against the under side of the rail base produces the combined leverage and clamping action in the anchor already described.

ln the illustration ot Fig. (i there is shown a pressure or torce applying means consist,- ing oi' a screw or bolt itl :nl iustably mount ed in a threaded opening ,1T in the tail of the anchor and having its upper bearing end 178 flatly engaging against the underside ot the rail base. li'he turning o' this screw or bolt iti. in either direction in'ovidcs tor the tightening or loosening ot the rail anchor in the manner already described.

Again, as suggested in Fig. 7 of the draw ings the tail ot the anchor body may be, provided with 'i straight threaded shank if) sct at an inclination to the lower member o the jaw and having mounted thereon a beveled bearing washer 2t) and an adjusting nut 2l behind the washer. The beveled tace ol the washer rides against the 'lat underside oi' the rail base under the adjusting pressure oi' the nut 2l and on account ot the inclination of the threaded shank lf) with reference to lltl sure or he adjusting nut 2l. This construction also produces the leverage effect already described.

lfi'g. l) of the drawings illustrates a modification wherein the upper jaw member l is produced by a circular looping of one end of the bar and the squared-offl end S of the upperjaw member has a flat bearing engagement with the inclined upper face of the rail flange and also constitutes the fulcrum point for the anchor.' ln this modification the same form of pressure or force applying means are shown as illustrated in Figs. eL. and 5 of the drawings, but in addition to such means the niodification of Fig. 9. illustrates thc applicability of the improvements to an anchor body of resilient or springy material which will inherently contribute to the clamping or binding grip of the anchor upon the rail when the leverage force or pressure is exerted by the adjustment of the pressure or force applying means. Furthermore in the form of' construction shown in Fig. 9 the fold or bight 6 of the jaw is of much greater length than in the forms of construction. already described with 'the added advantage of permitting the springy or resilient efl'ect of the metal to augment the clamping eflect produced by the leverage action. While the drawings show an anchor made from rectangular or round bars throughout with the jaw portion bent to shape, still it can be constructed from rolled sections and then sheared.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction,action and many advantages of the herein described rail anchor will be readily apparent without further description and it will be understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

l. A rail anchor provided with rail flange engaging means, and means for adjusting the anchor to exert an upward 'pressure on the bottom edge portion of a rail flange.

2. A rail anchor consisting of a lever provided with rail flange engaging means, and means for adjusting the anchor as a lever to exert an upward pressure on. the bottom edge portion of a rail flange.

3. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a bearing face adapted to engage beneath the edge portion of a rail flange, and

means for moving the lever in a direction to exert upward pressure applying a flexing force on said flange.

4l. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a fulcrum adapted to engage the top of a rail flange and a bearing for engaging the edge portion of the flange, and means for moving the lever on its fulcrum.

5. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a fulcrum adapted to engage the top of a rail flange and a bearing for engaging the edge portion of the flange, and means for moving the lever on its fulcrum in a direction to exert upward pressure 0n the edge of the rail flange.

6. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a fulcrum adapted to engage the upper side of a rail flange, and a bearing face adapted to engage the lower outer edge portion of the same flange, and pressure or force applying means engaging the lever.

7. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a rail flange engaging jaw fulcruming on top of the flange, and pressure means engaging the lever.

8. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a rail flange engaging jaw fulcruming on top of the flange, and pressure means engaging the lever and the rail base.

9. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a rail flange engaging jaw fulcruming on top of the flange, and pressure means engaging the lever and beneath the flange opposite the flange engaged by the jaw.

10. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a tail member and a flange engaging jaw fulcruming on top of a rail flange, and pressure applying means engaging said tail member.

11. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a tail member and a flange engaging jaw fulcruming on top of a rail flange, and pressure applying means engaging said tail member and the rail base.

12. A rail anchor consisting of a lever adapted to be fulcrumed on the rail base, and pressure applying means engaging said lever and the rail base for causing movement thereof in a direction to exert upward flexing pressure on the edge portion of a rail flange.

13. A rail anchor consisting of a lever having a tail member and a flange embracing jaw, said jaw fulcruming on top of the rail base and having a bearing beneath the edge of the rail flange, and pressure applying means coperating with the tail member.

lll. A rail anchor consisting of a lever adapted to be fulerumed on top of one rail flange and to engage beneath the edge portion of the same flange, and a pressure applying device engaging said lever and the opposite rail flange, the points of engagement of the lever with the rail flange and said pressure applying device alternating.

15. A rail ane-hor comprising a body provided with a tail member and with a lange engaging jaw Whose upper member is provdedwith a fulerum bearing and Whose loiver member is provided with a pressure bearing face to engage the edge of the rail flange, and pressure applying means engaging the tail member of the anchor.

16. A rail anchor `comprising a body having a tail member extending beneath one rail flange and a jaw embracing the opposite rail flange and having engagement with the top of said flange and the lower edge portion tlieieoi, and pressure-applying means engaging the tail member and the rail base and adapted to apply a flexing roi-ce to said edge portion of the llange.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature iii the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN lVOLHAUPTEll.

lVitiiesses Ciiiis. E. Finne, JOHN K. MoAvoY. 

